Cardinal Richelieu weakened influence of the nobility and judicial Parlements on government.
Anne of Austria and Cardinal Mazarin took control of the French government after Louis XIII died. While Louis XIV was too young to rule, they continued previous policies, further incensing the Parlement and nobility.
Fronde of the Parlement - Began with the Parlement's refusal to approve a new government budget plan. Cardinal Mazarin had two Parlementaires arrested for their outspoken protest, but later was forced to let them go, due to uprisings by supporters. Monarchy tried to blockade Parlement in Paris to force surrender, but due to some revolt by nobility and parlementary supporters, containment and forced surrender failed. Peace of Rueil was negotiated between Parlement and monarchy, allowing changes made by Parlement and ending the Fronde of the Parlement.
Fronde of the Princes - (1650-53) Essentially a revolt against Cardinal Mazarin, director of the government with Queen Anne of Austria at the time. One man, known as The Great Conde, was a military officer who wanted more power. When restrictions on nobility and the landed gentry impeded him, he became a rebellious leader with a loyal following, inspiring revolt among nobility and the like. Eventually, the Conde was arrested, causing greater revolts, leading Mazarin to release him for fear of further uproar. Mazarin was dismissed for the revolts.
The Fronde revolts were the last serious challenges to the supremacy of the monarchy until the French Revolution.
Revolts led to heightened power of monarchy, creating an Absolute Monarchy
Fronde of the Parlement (1648-49)
Fronde of the Princes (1649-52)
Fronde of the Princes - (1650-53) Essentially a revolt against Cardinal Mazarin, director of the government with Queen Anne of Austria at the time. One man, known as The Great Conde, was a military officer who wanted more power. When restrictions on nobility and the landed gentry impeded him, he became a rebellious leader with a loyal following, inspiring revolt among nobility and the like. Eventually, the Conde was arrested, causing greater revolts, leading Mazarin to release him for fear of further uproar. Mazarin was dismissed for the revolts.